Cultivator.



No. 794,129 PATENTED JULY 4, 1905. W. SOBEY.

GULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED LEG. 7, 1903.

4 SHEETb -SHEET 1.

Jwzmr: imam M0 1% @2125 No. 794,129. PATENTED JULY 4, 1905. W. SOBEY.

GULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 7, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N m l o o oi 2 110611702:

PATENTED JULY 4 1905.

W. SOBEY.

GULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC]. 7, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mm MAJ No. 794,129. PATENTED JULY 4, 1905.

' W. SOBBY.

UUL'I'IVATOR.

APPLICATION rum) 11110.7, 190a.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

wenimi' 4 V 4 e E 1 N29 an s l Patented July 4, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM SOBEY, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN.

CULTIVATOR- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,129,dated July 4, 1905.

Application filed December '7, 1903. Serial No. 184,031.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SOBEY, a citi- Zen of the United States, anda resident of Racine, county of Racine, and State of Wisconsin, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cultivators, of whichthe following is declared to be a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to wheel-cultivators which carry independentshovel-beams for opposite sides of the plant row. In such cultivatorsthe gang-beams are swung at their forward ends to the main frame and areadjustably supported at their rear ends. The axle usually comprises anelevated horizontal section swiveled to the frame and dependingwheelsections, so that the axle is arch-shaped to straddle the row. Thewheel-sections of the axle are usually laterally adjustable withreference to the horizontal central portion to accommodate thecultivator for rows of different width. Suitable adjusting shiftmechanism or regulating devices are provided for the gang-beams, whichare preferably under control from the drivers seat and arranged to bereleasably locked in any adjusted position.

The present invention seeks to provide simple and effective shiftermechanism which is entirely independent of the regulating devices forthe gang-beams and by which the position of the depending portions ofthe arched axle may be readjusted with reference to the frame, andthereby properly balance the machine for operators of different weight.The selected means does not require the removal of securing-bolts orlike expedients, but by simple shift accomplishes the desired end. Asuit.- able actuating-lever carried on the frame enables the driver tocontrol the shift at will from his seat. The upper ends of the stubaxlesare mounted in peculiar fashion, so that they can be adjusted not onlylaterally for different Widths of tread, but through their swiveledconnections with the main frame can quickly readjust in the line ofdraft, according to the balance established for the driver at his seat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and effectivearrangement for vices for the gang-beams and the adjustingshifter forthe stub-axles.

The invention also provides an effective form of swiveled connectionsfor the cultivator-beams by which the latter may be readily adapted foreither level or pendulum swing.

The purpose is also to simplify the union of the separate parts of thearched axles with the frame of the machine; and the invention consistsin the features of construction, arrangements, and combinationsof partsset forth in the following description, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of acultivator with thepresent improvements applied. In this figure for the sake of clearnessthe near wheel is broken away and the draft-evener shown in section.Fig. 2 is a plan view with certain parts omitted. Fig. 3 is adetailview, part in elevation and part in section, of the arched axleand its connections with the frame. Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of theconnections between the frame and the sections of the arched axle. Fig.5 is a detail bottom view of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail section online 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a detail section on line 7 7 of Fig. 3.Fig. 8 is a detail view, partly in section and partly in elevation, ofthe adjusting shifter for the stub-axles. Fig. 9 is a detail view,partly in elevation and partly in section, of the forward swiveledconnections for the gang-beams. Fig. 10 is a detail section of theconnection shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail front view thereof. Fig.12 is a detail view in elevation of the swiveled connections for thegang-beams at the rear, and Figs. 13 and 14 are detail sections thereof,taken in plans at right angles to each other.

In the usual manner the carrying-wheels 15 are journaled upon spindlesat the lower horizontal terminals of the arched axle. Each dependingstub-axle or wheel-section 16 has at its upper end aninwardly-projecting horizontal portion 17, which fits snugly within thehorizontal tubular crown section 18.

Brackets 19 are mounted upon opposite ends of the horizontalaxle-section 18 and are provided with solid-ring portions 20 andsplitring portions 21, which embrace the ends of the horizontalaxle-section. Bolts 22 extend between the ends of the split-ringportions 21 and serve to securely clamp the brackets 19 in position.Each of the horizontal portions 17 of the axle-sections 16 adjustablyextends through a collar 23, which sets within a semicircular slot orrecess 24 in the under face of the adjacent bracket 19 and is heldthereby against longitudinal shift. Set-screws 25, threaded through thecollars, hold the wheelsections in adjusted position. The brackets 19and collars 23, clamped, respectively, to crown-sections 18 and to thehorizontal portions 17 of the axle-sections, as described, serve tosecurely connect the separate sections of the arched supporting-axle. Atthe same 'time'since collars 23 may freely rotate in the recesses 24 thedepending wheel-sections 16 may swivel freely within the horizontaltubular section 18. The tread of the cultivator-wheels can be varied atwill in keeping the width of the plant row by adjusting thewheel-sections 16 through the collars 23 and tubular axle-section 18 andclamping the same in such adjusted position by set-screws 25. Thebrackets 19 also preferably serve as connections between the arched axleand the frame of the cultivator and for this purpose are provided attheir outer ends with upright and horizontal flanges 26 and 27, formingseats for the side bars 28 of the frame. These flanged portions 26 and27 preferably diverge rearwardly (see Figs. 2 and 4) in keeping with thearrangement of the side bars and the rearwardly-extending supports 29.The supports 29 are U-shaped in section and rest, as shown, upon thehorizontal projections or flanges 27 of the brackets 19, and the forwardends of such supports are adjustably secured to the side bars 28 bystraps 30. The riders seat 31 is carried upon a cross-bar 32, of springmetal, adjustably secured at its ends to the rear portions of thesupports 29. The forward converging ends of the side bars 28 aresecurely fastened to the pole 33. The draftevener 34 is pivotallysupported upon the under side of the pole and aflords suitableattachment for the swingletrees.

Split collars 35 are secured by bolts 36 to the lower ends of thedepending wheel-sections 16 of the arched axle, and to the bolts 36 arepivoted the rear ends of the brace-links 37. The forward ends of thelatter are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the shifterrock-arms 38, which are fixed upon the ends of and depend downwardlyfrom the shifter.

rockshaft 39. This shaft extends transversely across the machine at itsfront portion and is journaled at opposite ends in suitablebearing-boxes 40. The bearing-boxes 40 are provided at their inner endswith upstanding-lugs 41, grooved to fit the side bars 28 of themachine-frame and firmly secured thereto by bolts 42. The means foractuating the shifter rock-shaft preferably comprises a hand-lever 43,bolted at its forward end to an extension 44 on the hub of one of therock-arms 38 and extending rearwardly within reach of the rider.

Means for locking the shifter mechanism in any of its adjusted positionspreferably comprises asegmental rack 45, fixed to the end of one of thejournal-boxes 40 adjacent the shift-lever, and a cooperating spring-heldlatch 46, mounted to slide within a bracket 47 on the side of theshift-lever 43, said latch being arranged to engage the teeth of thesegmental rack 45. A trip 48 for releasing the latch 47 is pivoted nearthe end of the hand-lever 43 and is connected to the latch by a link 49.By means of the shifter and operating connections the positions of thewheel-sections of the arched axle relatively to the frame may be quicklyand easily adjusted and locked in adjusted position, so that theleverage of the drivers weight upon the pole and other parts in front ofthe axle is correspondingly adjusted, and in this way the parts may bepositioned to properly balance the machine with riders of differentweight. Moreover, the adjustment may be easily and readily effected fromthe riders seat.

To the under side of the pole and in front of the draft-evener is fixedthe transverse cross-shaft or fore-reach 50, upon which are mountedsleeves 51. These sleeves are free to rotate upon the cross-shaft 50,but are adjustably held against longitudinal shift thereon by collars 52set within slots in the sleeves 51 and held in position by set-screws53. Each of the horizontal sleeves 51 is provided with a pair ofdepending lugs 54, between which extends a forwardly-projecting lug 55upon a vertically-disposed sleeve 56. A bolt 57, extending through thelugs 54 and 55, holds the vertical sleeve 56 in place. Upstanding lugsor projections 58 and 59 upon the horizontal and vertical sleeves 51 and56 are arranged adjacent each other and are connected by a bolt 60,which extends through an arcshaped slot 61 in the ing 58.

The lug 55 is elliptical in section or tapers toward its edges, and thebolt 57 loosely fits the opening in this lug, so that when the nut onbolt is loose the sleeve 56 may oscillate from side to side to a limitedextent upon the pin 57. By tightening the nut on bolt 60 the verticalsleeve 56 is of course held against oscillation. The round upturned endsof the cultivator-beams 62 extend through the vertical sleeves 56 andare adjustably supported therein by collars 63, which are provided withrecessed flanged portions 64, arranged to engage an annular flange orlip 65 upon the lower end of the sleeve 56. The collars 63 are securedto the ends 61 of the gang-beams by set-screws 66. The height of theforward ends of the gangbeams maybe adjusted through the collars 63 andsleeves 56 and then held in adjusted position by the set-screws 66. Atthe same time the forward ends of the gang-beams are vertically swiveledwithin the sleeves 56, so that the gang-beams may swing horizontallywithin the sleeve 56 to a limited extent. At the rear each gang-beam 62is connected to the lower end of a suspension-rod 67, the upper curvedend of which is pivoted to the outer end of an upwardlyextendingradius-arm 68. The-heel of the radius-arm terminates in ahorizontalsleeve 69, (see Fig. 3,) which is journaled upon a pivotbolt 70, passingthrough cars 71 on the upper face of the adjacent bracket 19., Shovels72 are secured in the usual manner by shanks 73 to the gang-beams, andthe supportingrods 67 are provided with the usual operatinghandles 7 4t.

The joint between the lower ends of the suspension rods 67 and thegang-beam 62 is formed as more clearly shown in Figs. 12, 13, and 1th.Each gang-beam consists of separate connected members, and a bracket 75is pivoted to a cross-bolt 7 6, extending between the separate membersof the beam. A sleeve 77 extends through the bore of the bracket 75 andbetween the members of the gang beam, so that the latter cannot be drawntogether sufficiently close to prevent the free pivotal movement of thebracket. The ends of the pivoted portion of the bracket are somewhatconical in outline and set within similarly-shaped recesses in pieces78, which are preferably grooved, as shown upon their outer faces, so asto fit snugly against the sides of the separate members of the gangbeam. The lower end of the suspension-rod 67 is pivotally connected tothe bracket by a bolt 79. A second bolt above the bolt 79 extendsthrough a hole in the suspension-rod and through a segmental slot in thebracket 75. These pivotal connections for the for ward and rear ends ofthe gang-beams may be adjusted to give either what is known as the levelswing or the so-called pendulum swing. All the changes may be made bysimply tightening the nut on one bolt and loosening that on the other.For example, if the nut on the bolt 80 is tight, so that the bracket 75and suspension-rod 67 are rigidly secured together, and the nut on bolt60 loose, so that the vertical sleeve 56 is free to oscillate from sideto side, the, gang-beams 62 will swing in the arc of a circle as theyare shifted to and fro by the feet of the operator within the stirrups82that is to say, the gang-beams rise as they approach the end of theirlateral swing. On the other hand, if the nut on bolt 60 is tight, sothat the vertical sleeve 56 cannot oscillate,

and the nut on bolt 80 is loose the gang-beams will then swing in ahorizontal plane with their forward ends turning within the sleeves 56.The first adjustment described gives the so-called pendulum swing andthe second the level swing. At the same time these joints for supportingthe gang-beams permit the free up-and-down movement thereof as they passover the ground and as they are thrown into and out of operativeposition.

The regulating devices for each gang-beam preferably comprises a heavyspring 83, connected by a chain 84L to the upper end of the radiusarm68. The forward end of each spring 83 is connected to the upper arm ofthe shifter 85, which is loosely journaled to rotate upon the shaft 39.(See Fig. 8.) Each shifter is provided with a recessed flange 86,arranged to engage an annular lip 87 upon the inner end of the adjacentbearing-box 4:0, and is held thereby against longitudinal shift. To thelower arms of the shift-levers are connected links 88, which extendrearwardly through openings 89, formed in upwardly-projecting portionsupon the brackets 19. These links 88 are provided at their rear endswith handles 91, by which they may be readily controlled from thedrivers seat, and upon their under edge with rack-teeth 92, arranged toengage the edges of the openings 89 to hold the links and the regulatingdevices in adjusted position.

It will be observed that both the regulating devices for the gang-beamsand the shift mechanism for the stub-axles may be easily and eon-'venientl y regulated from the drivers seat and that each of theseadjustments is entirely independent of the other. The independence ofthese separate shift mechanisms is essential,

since it is often necessary to adjust one without effecting theadjustment of the other. In operation the wheel-sections are firstadjusted to properly balance the weight of the rider, and the regulatingdevices for the plow-beams are then free to be independently adjusted asmay be desired. The brackets 19 are provided with rearwardly -extendingnotched projections 93, within which the suspension-rods 67 are seatedwhen the shovel-beams are in raised position.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details ofstructure without departure from the essentials of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In cultivators, the combination with the frame and shovel-beam hungtherefrom, of an arched supporting-axle comprising separate dependingwheel sections swiveled to the frame, regulating devices connected tosaid shovel'beams, shifters connected to said regulating devices and anindependently-movable shifter connected to both of said dependingWheel-sections, operating-handles for said shifters under control fromthe drivers seat and means for locking said shifters in adjustedposition.

2. In cultivators, the combination With a frame and shovel-beams hungtherefrom, of an arched supporting-axle comprising separate dependingWheel-sections sWiveled to the frame, spring-regulators connected tosaid shovel-beams, shift-levers mounted at the fore end of the frame andconnected to said regulators, operating-handles connected to saidshifters and extending rearWardly Within reach of the rider, means forlocking said shifters in adjusted position, a shift mechanismindependent of said beam-regulators connected to both of the dependingWheel-sections of said arched axle and an operatinghandle for said shiftmechanism under control from the drivers seat.

3. In cultivators, the combination With the frame and shovel-beam hungtherefrom, of an arched supporting-axle swiveled to the frame and havingdepending Wheel-sections, a cross rock-shaft journaled at the fore partof the frame, rock-arms fixed to said shaft and connected to saidWheel-sections, an operatinglever for said shaft, means for locking thesame in adjusted position, a regulator connected to said shovel beam, anadjusting shifter for said regulator movable independently of saidrock-shaft and an operating-handle for said shifter.

4. In cultivators, the combination with the frame and shovel-beam hungtherefrom, of an arched axle swiveled to the frame and having dependingWheel-sections, a cross rock-shaft journaled at the fore part of theframe and connected to said Wheel-sections, regulators for saidshovel-beams, shift-levers pivoted on the forward part of the frame andconnected to said regulators and independently-movable operating-handlesfor said shift-levers and I said rock-shaft extending rearWardly Withinreach of the rider.

5. In cultivators, the combination With the main frame and shovel-beamhung therefrom, of an arched supporting-axle sWiveled to the frame andprovided With depending wheelsections, a cross rock-shaft journaled onthe fore part of the frame, rock-arms fixed to said shaft and connectedto said Wheel-sections,

pivoted radius-arms supporting the rear ends of said shovel-beams,spring-regulators connected to said radius-arms, shift-levers pivoted atthe fore part of the frame and connected to said spring-regulators,independently-movable operating-handles connected to said shift-leversand to said rock-shaft and extending rearwardly therefrom and means forlocking said operating-handles in adjusted position.

6. In cultivators, the combination With the main frame, shovel-beamshung therefrom and regulating devices for said shovel-beams, of anarched supporting-axle comprising separate depending Wheel-sectionshorizontally swiveled to the frame and a common shifter movableindependently of said beam-regulating devices connected to both of saidWheel-sections to simultaneously adjust the same rela tively to saidframe.

7. In cultivators, the combination With the main frame, sh ovel-beamshung therefrom and regulating devices for said shovel-beams, of anarched supporting-axle horizontally sWiveled to the frame and providedWith depending Wheel-sections, a common shifter movable independently ofsaid beam-regulating devices and connected to both of saidWheel-sections for adjusting the same, an operating-handlefor saidshifter under control from the drivers seat on the machine and areleasable lock for holding the parts in adjusted position.

8. In cultivators, the combination With the i regulating devices forsaid shovel-beams, of an arched axle comprising separate dependingWheel-sections, each of said sections having a laterally adjustable,horizontally sWiveled connection with the main frame, a common shiftermovable independently of said beamregulating devices and connected tothe loWer portions of both of said Wheel-sections to simultaneouslyadjust the same, an operatinghandle for said shifter and means forholding the parts in adjusted position.

10. In cultivators, the combination With the main frame, shovel-beamshung therefrom and regulating devices for said shovel-beams, of anarched supporting-axle comprising separate Wheel-sections horizontallysWiveled at their upper ends to the main frame, rotatable collarsthrough Which the upper, horizontal portions of the Wheel-sectionsextend and to Which said horizontal portions are adjustably secured,means for holding said collars against longitudinal movement, adjustingconnections between the lower ends of said Wheel-sections and the mainframe and means movable independently of said beam regulating devicesfor shifting said adjusting connections.

11. In cultivators, the combination With the main frame, shovel-beamshung therefrom and regulating devices for said shovel-beams, of anarched axle comprising a central, crown-section secured to the frame andseparatedepending wheel-sections horizontally swiveled and laterallyadjustable in said crown-section, a shifter movable independently ofsaid beamregulating devices and comprising a rockshaft journaled on theframe, rock-arms fixed to said shaft and links connecting said arms andthe lower portions of said wheel-sections, an operating-lever for saidrock-shaft and a releasable locking device for holding the parts inadjusted position.

12. In cultivators, the combination with the main frame, of an arched supporting-axle comprising separate wheelsections and a horizontal, hollowcrown-section into which the ends of the wheel-sections adjustablyextend, brackets carried by said horizontal section and secured to theside bars of the main frame, beam-supporting arms pivoted to saidbrackets and means for locking the separate sections of the axletogether.

13. In cultivators, the combination with the main frame, of an archedsupporting-axlecomprising separate wheel-sections and a central, hollowcrown-section adapted to adjustably receive the ends of saidwheel-sections, brackets clamped upon the ends of said horizontalsections and secured to the side bars of the frame, rotatable collarsadjustably secured to the upper, horizontal portions of saidwheelsections, said collars engaging slots in said brackets andadjustable connections between the lower ends of said Wheel-sections andthe, main frame.

14. In riding-cultivators, the combination with the main frame, of anarched axle comprising a central, tubular section and dependingwheel-sections horizontally swiveled and laterally adjustable in saidhorizontal section, rotatable collars adjustably secured to the upper,horizontal portions of said wheel-sections, brackets secured to saidhorizontal section and embracing said collars to prevent their lateraldisplacement, a rock-shaft journaled on said frame in front of saidaxle, depending rockarms on said shaft, links connecting said rockarmsand the lower portions of said wheel-sections, an operating-lever forsaid rock-shaft extending rcarwardlywithin reach of the rider and meansfor locking said lever in adjusted position.

15. In cultivators, the combination with the main frame and theshovel-beam hung therefrom, of an arched supporting-axle swiveled to theframe and having depending wheel-sections, a rock-shaft journaled on theframe and connected to said wheel-sections, a shift-lever looselyjournaled on said rock-shaft and connected to said shovel-beam and meansfor independently adjusting said rock-shaft and said shift-lever.

16. In riding-cultivators, the combination with the main frame and withthe shovel-beams hung therefrom, of an arched supporting axle swiveledto the frame and having depending wheel-sections, a rock-shaft journaledon the fore part of the frame, rock-arms on said shaft connected to saidwheel-sections, shift-levers loosely journaled on said rock-shaft andconnected to said shovel-beams, independentlymovable operating-handlesfor said rock-shaft and said shift-levers extending rearwardly withinreach of the rider and means for locking said operating-handles inadjusted position.

17. In cultivators, the combination with the main frame and shovel-beamshung therefrom, of an arched supporting-axle having separatewheel-sections, a rock-shaft journaled at the fore part of the frame,rock-arms fixed to said shaft and connected to said dependingwheel-sections, radius-arms pivoted to the frame and connected to therear ends of said shovel-beams, shift-levers loosely journaled on saidrock-shaft, spring-regulators extending between said shift-levers andsaid radius-arms and independent operating-handles for said shift-leversand said rock-shaft under control fromthe drivers seat.

18. In cultivators, the combination with a cross-bar at the front of theframe, of a sleeve on said bar, a vertically-dis posed sleeve withinwhich the forward end of the cultivator-beam is swiveled, overlappingvertically-disposed lugs on said sleeves, a horizontal cross-boltextending from side to side through said lugs upon which said verticalsleeve is arranged to oscillate and means for holding said verticalsleeve against oscillation.

19. In cultivators, the combination with a cross-shaft at the front ofthe frame, a sleeve on said shaft, a vertically-disposed sleeve withinwhich the front end of the cultivator-beam is journaled, a pair oflaterally-extending lugs on one of said sleeves, a lug on the othersleeves projecting between said pair of lugs, a cross-bolt extendingthrough said lugs whereon said vertical sleeve is arranged to oscillate,projections on said sleeves arranged side by side and a bolt extendingthrough said projections.

20. In cultivators, the combination with a cross-shaft at the front ofthe frame,of a sleeve mounted on said shaft and provided with a pair oflaterally-extending lugs, a verticallydisposed sleeve within which theforward end of the cultivator-beam is journaled, a laterally-extendinglug on said vertical sleeve, elliptical in section and projectingbetween said pair of lugs, a cross-bolt connecting said lugs,projections on said sleeves and a boltand-slot connection between saidprojections.

21. In cultivators, the combination with the beam and the suspension-rodtherefor, of a bracket pivotally secured to said beam to swing forwardand back, a suspension-rod pivoted to said bracket to swing crosswiserelatively thereto and means for clamping said bracket andsuspension-rod together.

22. In cultivators, the combination with the cultivator-beam, ofacross-bolt connecting the separate members of said beam, a bracketswiveled on said cross-bolt, a spacing-sleeve surrounding said bolt andextending through said bracket into engagement With the separate membersof said beam, a suspension-rod pivoted at its lower end to said bracketand a IO bolt-and-slot connection between said bracket and saidsuspension-rod.

WILLIAM SOBEY.

Witnesses:

GEORGE HENRY BOLTON, CHARLES ARMSTRONG.

